Chapter 5

Systems Analysis

• Systems analysis in the SDLC

• Systems analysis steps

• Existing system documentation

• In-depth personal interviews

• Surveys

• Group collaborative sessions

• Observation

• Functional requirements documentation

Systems analysis in the SDLC

Fig 5.1: Analysis Phase Overview

Systems Analysis Steps

Basic step 1: Analyze functional requirements

• Analyze existing system documentation

• Conduct in-depth personal interviews

• Conduct surveys

• Gain consensus among group members

• Observe the existing system

• Search through records

Existing System Documentation

Reports and screens

Process modeling tools

• DFD context diagram

Fig 5.2: A Context Diagram for an Order Entry System

Existing System Documentation

Process modeling tools

• DFD figure 0 diagram

Fig 5.3: Figure 0 Diagram for an Order Entry System

Existing System Documentation

Process modeling tools

• Structured English

Fig 5.4: Structured English

Existing System Documentation

Process modeling tools

• System flowchart

Fig 5.5: A System Flowchart

Existing System Documentation

Process modeling tools

• Program flowchart

Fig 5.6: A Program Flowchart

Existing System Documentation

Process modeling tools

• Warnier-Orr diagram

Fig 5.7: A Warnier-Orr Diagram

Existing System Documentation

Data modeling tools

• Layout form

Fig 5.9: A Record Layout Form

Existing System Documentation

Data modeling tools

• Data dictionary

• ERD

Fig 5.11: An Entity-Relationship Diagram

Existing System Documentation

Object modeling tools

• Object class diagram

Fig 5.12: Class Diagram for Ordering Replenishment Stock

In-Depth Personal Interviews

Structured and unstructured

Tips

• Make an appointment

• Dress properly

• Have an agenda and use a question list

• Be flexible

• Use a tape recorder

• Validate the responses

Surveys

Personal and Telephone

• Objective and subjective

• Tips

1. Keep the questionnaire short

2. Ask easy questions first

3. Follow the proper sequence

Mail

• Tips

1. Keep the questionnaire short

2. Personalize the mailing

3. Use the telephone for follow-up

4. Use scales

Group Collaborative Sessions

DSS, GDSS, GSS

EMS (electronic meeting system)

JAD

Nominal group technique (NGT)

1. Generate ideas

2. List ideas in round-robin fashion

3. Discuss ideas

4. Each member ranks ideas

5. Compile rankings

6. Discuss and accept rankings

Focus groups

Observation

Tips

• Be inconspicuous

• Observe a representative work flow

Systems Analysis Steps

Basic Step 2: Document Functional Requirements

• F/C matrix

• Use case

• The project dictionary

Functional Requirements Documentation

Use caseFig 5.14: A Use Case

Functional Requirements Documentation

The project dictionary

Table 5.1: Contents of the Project Dictionary Created During Analysis Activities